Combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser



Oct. 1, 1957 c. L. TAYLOR 2,807,818

COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 18, 1952 Il, El y ifa/'a' Den/ffice 50 70 30 L/.Q/sroP/Ee I. 72mm?,

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nited States Patent iiiee 2,807,818 Patented Oct. 1, `1957 COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE DISPENSER Christopher L. Taylor, Los Angeles, Calif'.

Application October 18, 1952, Serial No. 315,446

3 claims. (Cl. 1s136) My invention relates to improvements. in toothbrushes, and more particularly to an improved combined toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser.

The main object of my invention is to provide an improved combination toothbrush rand dentifrice dispenser which is `adapted for use with either `a liquid dentifrice, a powdered dentifrice, or a toothpaste.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser with means for applying liquid dentifrice to the toothbrush without removing the dentifrice con-tainer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser with a removable brush member .arranged to apply dentifrice either in paste or powdered form to `the brush without removing the dentifrice container.

The foregoing kand other objects of my invention together with various `advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description taken in -connection with the Aaccompanying drawing.

ln the drawing: Y v

Figure l is a perspective view .of a :combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser shown as completely .assembled and ready for storage;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the combination; l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the `arrangement for applying liquid dentifrice to the brush;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view of a brush element taken on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an venlarged detailed view of the mouth of a liquid-dentifrice container;

Fig. 6 `is a `detailed view showing `a paste-dentifrice container in place; and

Fig. 7 is -a detailed view showing a powder-dentifrice container in place.

A combination toothbrush and dentifrice `dispenser of the type embodying my invention is adapted for portable use, `and as shown in Fig. l, is of the general shape of a fountain pen to facilitate .its convenient transportation Vby 'itsrownen This device is adapted to Vcarry either a liquid, a paste, or apowder-type dentifrice.

As indicated particularly in Figs. 1- and 2, my device includes a main tubular member 1'0 .that is provided with both internal threads. vl2 and external .threads 14 at the top end thereof and external threads 16 jat the bottom end thereof. At the top end, a relatively long top cap 2t? having internal threads 22 .threadably engages .the body member 10. A relatively short bottom `,cap 24 having internal threads. 26, threadably engages the other end of the tubular member. The two threaded caps and the Vtubular member together form a compact case for a toothbrush and a dentifrice container that is arranged therein. The .upper cap 20 is provided lwith a clip V28 which .is adapted to hold the device securely inthe-pocket of its owner.

My device `includes a fbrus'h member -30-thatis provided with a threaded base 32 :and aY stem 34. `'Thebase engages the internal threads 12 at the top end of the tubular body member 10 and the stem extends axiallyv upwardly therefrom. The brush 35 itself consists of a series of bunches 36 of bristles extending transversely of the stem in one direction therefrom.

Aliquid ilow channel 38 extends from the base mem#A ber 32 into the stem, being closed, however, at the upper end of the stem. Outlet orifices 40 communicating with the flow channel are arranged in the centers of the bunches 36 of bristles so that liquid flowing outwardly of the stem will wet the bristles.

The inner end of the brush member 30 is formed with a membrane-piercing member 33 in the form of a needle that projects into the interior of the tubular member 10. The needle 33 is provided with inlet orifices 37 that communicate with the liow channel 38. Retaining means in the form of a plurality of inwardly directed lingers 41 encircle the needle on the inner side of said base 32.

To prepare the toothbrush for use, the base cap 24 is removed and a container in the form of a flexible capsule 50 containing a liquid dentifrice is inserted into the tubular member 10 through the lower end thereof. The capsule Si) is .provided with a thickened relatively stiff conical portion 52 at the inner end thereof. The conical portion 52 terminates in a bead 54 that forms Ia. mouth. As shown in Fig. 5, a thin fracturable membrane 5.6 is molded to the inner wall of the mouth, Vnormally sealing it to retain liquid dentifrice within the capsule.

In inserting the capsule 50 into the tubular member 10, the capsule is pressed into its uppermost position lagainst the base 32, causing the bead 54 `to be engaged with, .and to be locked in position by, the fingers 41. At the Sametime, the needle 33 lpierces the membrane 56, establishing communication between the interior of the capsule and the flow Achannel 38.

When the liquid capsule 50 is so positioned within vthe inner .tube 10, lthe base cap 24 is screwed into' place. It will be noted fthat the liquid capsule -50 is longer than the tubular member 10, and that it projects outwardly from the lower .end thereof, `thereby enabling it to be embraced snugly -by the base cap, thus facilitating holding it firmly in place.

In order to apply liquid dentifrice to the brush 35, there is provided adispensing lever `57 pivotally mounted on the sidewall vof the tubular member 10. A curved pressure plate k58 is mounted Within the tubular member incontact with the outer surface of the capsule 50. The

l37 and thence through the liquid channel 3.8 land out of the outlet orifices 4i) onto the bunches 36 of bristles.

In wetting 'the bristles with the liquid (dentifrice, the vbrush is preferably held with lthe brush member 38 inclined slightly downwardly, or even lpointed directly downward, in order to assure a free c-W of liquid. After the bristles have been wet, the :brush `member 30 may be inclined upwardly in order to facilitate the return of liquid from .the flowchannel 38 -.to the interior ofthe liquid capsule 50. The outlet orifices 40 have diameters of the order of 0.010 inch so .that they are sufciently small to prevent .efflux of liquid ordinarily except when the dispensing lever 57 is manipulated. f

When the device is not in use, the upper -cap A20 is screwed rinto place, thereby enclosing and kprotecting the bristles. A small `number of perforations 59 extending throughthe wall of the upper cap member 20 `facilitates ventilation of the brush while it is not in use.

While my device maybe employed with a liquid-dentifrice container, such as a liquid capsule as described above,

it may also be employed with a container of a paste-type dentrifice, more commonly known as a toothpaste, or with a `container of a powdered dentrfice, more commonly known as toothpowder.

In Fig. 6 the device is illustrated with a tube 60 of toothpaste arranged therein. The tube 60 is composed of a tubular member having a flexible wall which may be readily compressed yby the pressure plate 58.` The tube is provided `with a threaded head`62 at its lower end and a screw cap 64 to seal toothpaste therein. The opposite end of the tube 60 is provided with a recess 66 to prevent the invention with particular reference to the use of a remov- Cir end of the tube from being fractured by the needle 33.

If desired, a stop in the form of an internal annular flange 68` may be provided to limit the movement of the toothpaste tube 60 into the tubular member 10. An annular ring 70 formed at the bottom end of the tubular member 10 serves to prevent the tube 60 from falling out of the tubular member 10 freely when the base cap 24 is removed. i The internal radius of the ring 70 is just slightly smaller than the external radius of the container 60 in order that the container may be readily inserted or removed from the tubular member 10.

In order to apply toothpaste to the brush 35, the toothpaste container 60 may ybe removedthrough the lower end of the `inner tube 10 by first removing the base cap 24. While the tube 60 is so removed, paste may be applied directly to the brush in the usual manner. However, toothpaste may also be applied directly to the brush without removing the tube 60 from the inner tube 10. 'I'his may be accomplished by detaching the brush member 30 from the inner tu-be and then, while the tube cap 64 is removed, operate the dispensing lever 57, thereby squeezing the container 60, and causing paste to exude from the fitting 62.directly onto the brush. After the paste is applied to the brush, the brush vmember 30 is then screwed onto the tubular member 10. It will also be noted that the toothpaste may be Vapplied to the brush without removing the container 60 and without detaching the brush member 30. To apply toothpaste in this manner, the dispensing lever 57 is manipulated, causing paste to be deposited on the finger. Such toothpaste is then transferred from the finger to the brush 35.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated a container 80 of toothpowder mounted in place. The stops 68 limit the movement of this container toward the brush member and the flange `70 assists in holding the container in place when the cap 24 is removed. The container 80 is provided with a recess 82 at the lower end thereof to prevent fracturing of the end Wall of the container nearest the brush member 30. The outer end of the container 80 is of conical configuration and is provided with a rubber stopper 84 which is removed when toothpowder is to be poured from the container.

In the simplest-manner of applying toothpowder, the cap 24 is removed, the stopper 84 is also removed, and then the toothpowder is poured onto the palm of the hand, and is transferred to the brush 35, preferably after the brush has been moistened.

From the foregoing description of my invention, it is clear that I have provided a combination toothbrush and dentrifice dispenser which is suitable for use with a dentifrice in the form of either liquid, powder, or paste. For this reason, it may be sold to all customers regardless of which form of dentifrice they prefer to use. Also for this reason, even though a user may prefer a dentifrice of one particular form, he may be able to purchase and utilize a dentrfce of `another form, if that which he prefers happens to be out of stock temporarily` at the store where he makes his purchase.

While `my `invention has been described with reference to only one-particular embodiment thereof it will now be obvious that many changes be made in the form, material,

construction of the parts without departing from my invention. Thus, for example, while I have described the member 30 permanently in place and still obtain many of the benefits of my invention. It is therefore to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof described, but includes other embodiments thereof coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser comprising: an elongated tubular body member adapted to receive a dentifrice container, a brush member extending axially outwardly from said body member and having bristles extending transversely therefrom, said brush member having an internal liquid flow channel terminating in outlet orifices adjacent said bristles whereby liquid flowing outwardly in said channel wets said bristles, said brush member alsq being provided with a membranepiercing member projecting toward the interior of said tubular member, said membrane-piercing member being provided with inlet orifices that communicate with said flow channel, a first cap removably attachable to said one end to protect said bristles, retaining means encircling said membrane-piercing member for holding in place the mouth of a liquid-dentifrice container after a membrane thereacross has been pierced whereby the interior of said container communicates with said inlet orifices, a second cap removably attachable to the other end of said tubular member for permitting insertion and removal of a lflexible container that may contain either liquid or paste as the case may be, said second cap being adapted either to retain a liquid dentifrice container projecting from said body member and in communication with said inlet orifices or to cover and protect a screw cap on the end of a flexible paste container projecting from said other end,r externally controlled means for squeezing liquid out of said flexible container when in said tubular member to cause liquid therein to enter said channel through said inlet orifice from said flexible liquid container or for squeezing said flexible paste container when in said tubular member to cause paste therein to exude from an opening in the end of said paste container adjacent said other end of said tubular member, and means for retaining such a container in said tubular member when said second cap is removed.

.2. A combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser comprising: an elongated tubular body member adapted to receive a dentifrice container, a brush member removably attached to one end of said tubular member and extending axially outwardly from `said body member and having bristles extending transversely therefrom, said brush member having an internal liquid flow channel terminating in outlet orifices adjacent said bristles whereby liquid flowing outwardly in said channel wets said bristles, said brush member also being provided with a membranepiercing member projecting axially toward the interior of said tubular member, said membrane-piercing member being provided with inlet orifices that communicate with said flow channel, a first threaded cap removably attached to said one end to protect said bristles, said threaded cap bearing a pocket fastening clip and having vent holes in the wall thereof, retaining means encircling said membrane-piercing member for holding in place the mouth of a liquid container after said membrane has been pierced whereby the interior of said capsule communicates with said inlet orifices, a second cap removably attached to the other end of said tubular member for permitting insertion and removal of a flexible dentifrice container, said second cap being adapted either to retain a liquid dentifrice container projecting from said body member andtin communication with said inlet orifices or to cover and protect a screw cap on the end of a flexible paste container projecting from said other end, externally controlled means for squeezing liquid out of said flexible container when in `said tubular member to cause liquid therein to enter said channel through said inlet orices or for squeezing said flexible paste container when in said tubular member to cause paste therein to exude from an opening in the end of said paste container adjacent said other end of said tubular member, and means for retaining such a container in said tubular member when said second cap and said brush member are detached therefrom.

3. A combination toothbrush and dentifrice dispenser comprising: an elongated tubular body member adapted to receive a dentifrice container, a brush member removably attached to one end of said tubular member and extending axially outwardly from said body member and having bristles extending transversely therefrom, said brush member having an internal liquid ow channel terminating in outlet orifices adjacent said bristles whereby liquid flowing outwardly in said channel wets said bristles, said brush member also being provided with a conical membrane piercing element projecting axially toward the interior of said tubular member, said conical element being pointed at the end and being provided on its side Walls with inlet orifices that communicate with said flow channel, a first cap removably attached to said one end to protect said bristles, retaining means for holding in place the mouth of a liquid container after a membrane thereon has been pierced whereby the interior of said capsule communicates with said inlet orifices, a second cap removably attached to the other end of said tubular member for permitting insertion of such a dentifrice container with its outlet projecting beyond said other end of said tubular body member and into said cap, means for retaining said container in said tubular body member when said brush member and said second cap are detached therefrom, and externally controlled means for squeezing paste out of a flexible container while retained in said tubular body member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,558,195 McEnaney Oct. 20, 1925 1,618,377 Hamilton Feb. 22, 1927 1,855,572 Gabriel Apr. 26, 1932 1,880,354 Mueller -..p Oct. 4, 1932 2,162,447 Seibel June 13, 1939 2,455,600 Molumby et al. Dec. 7, 1948 2,527,741 Lamonde Oct. 31, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 49,271 France Nov. 12, 1938 (1st Add. to 832,415) 

